As of November 10, 2024, Lake Sam Rayburn is offering some excellent fishing opportunities. The water is slightly stained with a temperature of around 72 degrees, and the lake level is currently about 2.55 feet below pool.

Weather-wise, today is partly sunny with a high of 84 degrees and a low of 62 degrees tonight. Sunrise was at about 7:30 AM, and sunset will be around 6:45 PM. There are no significant tidal changes to note, as Lake Sam Rayburn is a freshwater lake.

Bass activity is quite strong, particularly in the mornings when they are schooling more actively. You can expect topwater action on grass edges and points, making lures like chatterbaits, swimbaits, and frogs highly effective. Shallow bass are centered around shoreline brush, hay grass, high spots, shallow ditches, and creek channel swings. These fish can be caught using Texas rigs, wacky rigs, shallow water crankbaits, and topwaters.

For deeper bass, target the mouth of creeks and offshore flats where they are chasing bait; Carolina rigs, dropshots, and shaky heads are working well here. There is a large population of schooling bass heavily chasing bait balls around main lake ledges in 17-22 feet, main lake drains in 10-17 feet, and main lake and secondary points.

Crappie are transitioning from brush main lake brush to creek channels and can be caught on standing timber in about 27 feet of water using minnows over jigs. Blue and channel catfish are fair in 24-27 feet of water and in the river bends on cut bait and minnows.

Hot spots include the areas around shoreline brush, hay grass, and high spots like shallow ditches and creek channel swings. The mouth of creeks and offshore flats are also productive, especially where bass are suspended and chasing bait.

Given the abundance of shad in shallow water, shallow bass feeding on these shad can be caught with spinnerbaits and topwater frogs. Be cautious navigating the lake as the level is expected to drop slowly through the winter for dam maintenance.

Overall, it's a great day to head out to Lake Sam Rayburn and take advantage of the active fish and favorable conditions.